That striker department has been rather interesting for Celtic this season.
The 2024/25 campaign started like many previous seasons, and that’s Kyogo Furuhashi leading the line for Celtic.
Added to that, Celtic also paid big money to sign Adam Idah permanently from Norwich City after his successful loan spell.
But, by the January transfer window, Kyogo was out of the door, and Daizen Maeda was the main man up top, with no senior striker being signed during the winter transfer window.
One rising youngster was recalled from his thriving loan spell at Shamrock Rovers, and that’s academy youngster Johnny Kenny.
It wasn’t so long until Kenny was making his Celtic debut, coming off the bench during his side’s 4-1 win at Ross County in January, where he also provided an assist, but nothing much has happened since then.
Johnny Kenny ‘hardly’ playing for Celtic despite Brendan Rodgers’ claim
From the get-go this season, and this was when Kyogo was still at the club, Rodgers spoke about wanting three strikers.
But despite having the in-form Daizen Maeda, Idah and Kenny to pick from, Andy Walker questioned the treatment of the latter and why he isn’t playing much, as he told Go Radio.
Walker feels the Celtic manager has gone against his word of using Kenny more often, despite suggestions that he would do so.
“I am not against players going out on loan,” said Walker. “It can work for you.
“But the Johnny Kenny one is interesting because I do remember Brendan Rodgers talking about giving him more game time to see if he could develop. But he has hardly played any minutes.”
What has Rodgers said about Kenny this season?
Kenny was an unused substitute for the two knockout Champions League ties against Bayern Munich, after playing in the Conference League for Shamrock Rovers this season.
The 21-year-old was last seen in Premiership action when Celtic put five goals past St Mirren in March, as he was also an unused substitute for the Scottish Cup win over Hibs.
But, back in February, when that striker didn’t arrive to replace Kyogo, this is what Rodgers had to say about Kenny and his situation.
“Johnny Kenny will now be here,” said Rodgers. “Johnny, I can see even with the three or so weeks he has been training with us and the guys who (coach him), John (Kennedy) and the other coaches who have been here before.
“They see the real difference in him. From his experience going back to playing with Shamrock and playing in Europe.
“Brilliant finisher. He looks physically in a good place, so I am now going to put my time into him and working with him. See how he develops now because he is a natural finisher in the box, there is no doubt about that. That’s what we look to do.”
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